Collapsed Lung: Symptoms

What are the symptoms of a collapsed lung?

A collapsed lung is a deflation of the lungs, which affects normal breathing and leads to chest pain. Symptoms vary depending on whether the lung collapse is due to air between the chest wall and lungs (pneumothorax) or deflation of the small air sacs (alveoli) within the lungs (atelectasis). Symptoms can vary in intensity among individuals.

Symptoms of a collapsed lung due to pneumothorax

A collapsed lung due to pneumothorax is associated with a number of symptoms that may become severe at any time including:

What is a collapsed lung?

A collapsed lung is the deflation of some or all of a lung, resulting in difficulty breathing, chest pain, and low oxygen in the blood (hypoxia). Collapsed lung can refer to a pneumothorax, an accumulation of air in the chest that prevents the lungs from expanding fully, or to atelectasis, deflation of the tiny air sacs (alveoli) within the lungs.

What causes a collapsed lung?

A collapsed lung is the deflation of some or all of a lung, resulting in
difficulty breathing, chest pain, and low oxygen in the blood
(hypoxia). Collapsed lung can refer to pneumothorax, an accumulation of
air within the chest cavity, which prevents the lungs from expanding
fully, or atelectasis, a deflation of the tiny air sacs (alveoli) within
the lungs.

How is a collapsed lung treated?

Treatment for a collapsed lung begins with seeking medical care from your health care provider. The goal of treatment for a collapsed lung is to re-inflate the collapsed lung to ease breathing and improve oxygenation. Treatment depends on the severity of the collapsed lung and the cause.